Crusaders unveil another Whitelock for Super15

[TRF_Cymro]

The Crusaders have named eight players in their wider training group including including Luke Whitelock, the fourth in the Whitelock family to be involved with the 2011 squad.

NZ Under-20 loose forward Luke, who is in the Canterbury Academy, joins brothers and full squad members Adam (midfield), George (loose forward) and Sam (lock + pictured).

The other members of the wider training group are NZ Under-20 players Codie Taylor (hooker) and Dominic Bird (lock), Tasman halfback Steve Alfeld, Canterbury flanker Brendon O'Connor, Canterbury wing Tu Umaga-Marshall, Tom Taylor (second-five) and Tasman prop Sam Prattley.

Bird and Tom Taylor are also current members of the Canterbury Academy.

Crusaders wider training group

Steve Alfeld (halfback), Codie Taylor (hooker), Sam Prattley (prop), Brendon O'Connor (flanker), Luke Whitelock (loose forward), Tom Taylor (second-five), Dominic Bird (lock), Tu Umaga-Marshall (wing).

http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=28120​

 

[Darwin]

Some interesting selections. They seem to have added talented young players who are still a few years away from Super Rugby, rather than picking the next best available player in most cases (4/8 have not even played NPC Rugby). I definitely agree with the policy, as getting these young players involved in the Crusaders environment can only be beneficial for their rugby development. However, if there are injuries in the main squad I would be very surprised if the likes of Taylor (* 2), Whitelock IV, or Bird get called in, as they are probably not ready for Super Rugby at this stage of their careers....